Improvement in bridle-bits



F. CRANE. BRIDLE-BIT.

Patented March 7,187.6..

N. PETERS. PHOTOL1THOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C.

.han

UNL-'IEE *STATES PATENT OEEIQE.

Y EEEDEECK CRANE, or BLooMEIELD, NEW JERSEY.

|M|5RovEMENT iN BRIDLE-BITS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 174,353, dated March 7, 1876; application filed A August`9, 1875.

To all whom it mayconcem: Y j

Be it known that I, FREDERICK CRANE, of Bloomfield, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridle-Bits; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to figures.

This invention is an improvement on that for which Letters Patent were issued to B. L. Rowley, April 14, 1868, No. 76,821. This kind of bit, since his .invention has come into use, is very much sought after. For certain purposes I have found yit improved bythe modifications and changes hereinafter speci! fled.

The first part of the improvement consists in making the rubberor other equivalent coating upon the mouth-piece of varying thickness, extending the whole length andA over the bulbs, and being swelled out toward the cheek-pieces, and contracting toward the middle, as shown in the'drawngs. By this plan the shape of the mouth-piece is secured independent of the shape ofthe iron or metal of the bit, the core being of uniform diameter throughout. This form of bit, known as the trottixig-bit7 lwhen made all of metal, is very heavy. 'By giving the form to the bit by varying the thickness of the coating, as shown, I secure lightness, and the elastic coating, being very thick at the points where the mouthpiece touches the horses lips, gives softness to the bit just where it is wanted.

The second part of thisy invention consists I in giving a permanent curve to the bit, as

shown in Fig.,3. In Rowleys invention, referred to above, the mouth-piece was made straight. Y In this I give a permanently-curved shape, as shown in Fig. 3.

This invention is applicable to all kinds of bits, whether they have flexible or Vstiff mouthpieces, and whether the cheek-pieces are snaf- V fle, ring, or other approved style. The coating I prefer is vulcanized soft rubber, xed 'directly upon the mouth-piece, and covering the entire mouthpiece and its ends; but when it is desirable to have the ends of themouth-piece to receive a plating or metal polish the rubber may be secured just inside the cheek-piece, so as to expose the metal outside the cheek-piece in bits such as the snaffle and ring bit. y

The following description will enable others to make and use my invention.

In the drawing, A is the mouth-piece, which maybe a chain. as Vshown in the drawing, a

wire, or several wires twisted together, a stiff` piece of metal, or any strong material to receive the soft elastic coating. I have named the various mouth-pieces made of metal for the reason that I deem them; best suited for the purpose, all things considered; but any material that will answer asV a core for the mouth-piece to receive the soft flexible coating of the form shown will answer the purpose. B B are the cheek-pieces, which may be of any of the known forms or styles. A is the core of the mouth-piece, shown as a chain in the drawing; but any other suitable material may be substituted for the chain. As it and the twisted-wire bit are light and easily fastened to the cheek-pieces, and permitwthe soft rubber to become so thoroughly incorporated with them, they are to be preferred. D is the coating of soft vulcanized rubber or other equivalent material, made in the form shownthat is to say, thin in the middle of the mouthpiece, and swelled out toward the cheekpieces, as shown at d d, and in the crosssec tions, Fig. 4.

I do not conne myself to the curve shown in the drawings, nor to the shape of the bit. `The bit of any curved form may, by my invention, be made with the core consisting of a chain, a wire, twisted'wire, a steel spring,`

gutta percha, or any other material, rigid, flexible, or jointed. The set is given by the form of the die or mold in which the coating is molded upon the'bit. If the core is flexible the bit, as finished, will bend when drawn upon; but, as it rests without being drawnv upon, it, will preserve any form.v or set given to it inf the mold; This,ispwfhatf Ii mean by permanently curved, to distinguish it from the straight bit of Rowleys patent.

I do not claim a bit covered with a soft elastic covering, nor securing the ends of the coating to the oheekpieces," norafexiblewbit made by covering a chain, wire, or like material with soft rubber or similar ,soft material, as these are found in Rowleys patent'of Aprilz 14, 1868; but,

Having thus described my inventiomwhat..

and desireto secnre'by Letters' Pat?A l Iclaim,

1.4 In a bridle-bit, the mouthpiece, havingA f a chain, wire, orother equivalentrcore, of uniform diameter throughout, andjva coatinggof i vulcanized soft rubber orA other,` similar materiahzextendingthe whole length and over the bulbs, and made substantially in the form shown-that is, swelled at the portions next the cheek-pieces and contracted toward the middle-as and for the purpose set forth. l 2;v In avbridle-bit, anelastio'lexible mouth piece,' permanently curved, as specified and showjiu Fig,

Intestimony that I claim the foregoing as .my own invention I aix my signature in presence of two wtnesses.

FREDERICK CRANE. Witnesses JOSEPH COULT p EDWARD. A. .Dl-w.- 

